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<title>The difference between binary and site map indexes</title>
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<h1>The difference between binary and site map indexes
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<p>There are two types of indexes available for help authors to use, a <a href="idxnew.htm">binary index</a> or a <a href="idxsite2.htm">site map index</a>. Each type of index has its own unique features.
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<h2>Binary index
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<p>This type of index is used only with compiled help (.chm) files. The following are some characteristics a binary index:
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<li>Good for large indexes because its compiled size is very small.
<li>Is automatically sorted during compile. A help author cannot customize how a binary index is sorted.
<li>Can be <a href="merge.htm">merged</a> with other indexes. All indexes are then sorted at compile time as one.
<li>Can be used with <a href="htklink.htm">KLinks</a> to create links to specific topics.
<li>Will automatically merge <a href="idxent1.htm">keywords</a> added to HTML files with Keyword links (KLinks) added to the index file.
</ul>

<h2>site map index
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<p>This type of index must be used when authoring an index for a Web site. It can also be used with compiled help files. The following are some characteristics of a site map index:
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<li>Works on a Web site.
<li>Help author has complete control over how the index is sorted.
<li>Works without being compiled (but can also be compiled).
<li>Same index can be used for Web site and compiled help file.
<li>Is better to use with smaller indexes because site map indexes are larger than binary indexes.
<li><a href="idxent2.htm">Keywords</a> are not merged with other indexes or sorted during compile.
<li>KLinks do not work with site map indexes.
</ul>

<h3>Note</h3>

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<li>The method you use for creating keywords depends on whether you are creating an index that will be used in a compiled help file, on a Web site, or in a situation where there are multiple indexes.
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">

<tr> <td valign="top"><a href="overidx.htm"><img src="home.gif" alt="Home page link" border="0"></a>
</td><td><a href="overidx.htm">About creating index files</a>
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<tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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